Showing 13 honorees
U.S. Army Nurse Corps, 1918–1945. First woman in American history to receive the Purple Heart, awarded for her leadership under fire at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Read Her Full Story →One of the first African American Green Berets. On September 17, 1969, near Chi Lang, Vietnam, single-handedly destroyed four enemy bunkers and recovered a fallen commander's body under withering fire — wounded three times. Awarded the Medal of Honor by President Obama in 2014 after a decades-long review determined racial bias had denied him the honor.
Thirty-year veteran of Atlanta Fire Rescue. In 2002, became the first African American woman named fire chief in the United States. Served 13 years as East Point Fire Chief. Appointed to the White House National Security Council. A fire station was dedicated in her name in 2019.
Civil War nurse known as the "Angel of the Battlefield." Founded the American Red Cross in 1881 and served as its president for 23 years. Established the nation's first missing soldiers bureau, identifying over 22,000 men. Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Won the landmark 1982 federal lawsuit that opened the FDNY to women for the first time in history. Served 25 years as a New York City firefighter, retiring as Captain. Responded to Ground Zero on 9/11. Founded United Women Firefighters. Awarded the Susan B. Anthony Award.
Founded by Benjamin Franklin and Dr. Thomas Bond — the first hospital in America built to treat the sick poor free of charge. Its main building, dating to 1756, is a National Historic Landmark. Still operating today as part of Penn Medicine after 275 years of continuous service.
U.S. Air Force's first female fighter pilot (1993), flying the F-15E Strike Eagle. First woman to command an Air Force combat fighter wing. Flew 3,000+ hours including 300 combat hours over Iraq and Afghanistan. Retired as Major General after 31 years of service.
First Native American to earn a medical degree (1889), graduating valedictorian of her class. Served as the sole doctor for 1,200+ people across 1,350 square miles. Founded the first reservation hospital not funded by government money in 1913, now a National Historic Landmark.
Chicago Police Department officer who founded "No Matter What," a nonprofit delivering mentorship, career training, and mental health support to Chicago youth. A former chef turned officer, he built a community garden in Englewood to feed students after a local grocery store closed.
Mess Attendant aboard USS West Virginia at Pearl Harbor. Carried wounded sailors to safety then manned an anti-aircraft gun under fire with no prior gunnery training. First African American recipient of the Navy Cross, presented personally by Admiral Nimitz in 1942. The aircraft carrier USS Doris Miller (CVN-81) bears his name.
The oldest continuously operating fire station in the United States. A rare surviving example of Greek Revival firehouse architecture, in unbroken service to its community for over 175 years.
Escaped slavery and conducted 13 missions on the Underground Railroad, freeing approximately 70 people. Served the Union Army as a spy, scout, and nurse during the Civil War — the first woman in American history to lead an armed military raid. Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.
U.S. Army Special Forces. On May 2, 1968, voluntarily jumped from a helicopter into a firefight near Loc Ninh to rescue a surrounded 12-man team — fighting for six hours, suffering 37 wounds, saving at least eight lives. Awarded the Medal of Honor by President Reagan in 1981. A Navy cargo ship bears his name.